2014 Mitsubishi Lancer to shrink

Wed, 24 Oct 2012

The aging, oft-forgotten Mitsubishi Lancer won't get a replacement until sometime in 2014, but a new report states that the next-generation model could be a relatively drastic departure from the car you see here. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation President Osamu Masuko told Australian site The Motor Report that the new Lancer will be smaller than the current car, going in a different direction than the vast majority of other automakers.

"The new Lancer will be a very new car, and will be sized somewhere between the current model and its predecessor," Masuko-san told The Motor Report.

There are both pros and cons to this decision. On the plus side, a smaller car means the Lancer will likely have a weight advantage over other vehicles in its class. That said, Mitsubishi will need to find ways to maximize interior space and create efficient packaging in order to still have its compact sedan remain competitive with strong offerings like the Hyundai Elantra, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus and so on.

The Motor Report also suggests that Mitsubishi could use turbocharged and diesel engines in its new Lancer lineup, though it's unclear what exactly will be available in the North American market. When asked, a spokesperson for Mitsubishi told Autoblog that the US bureau "cannot confirm any plans on the Lancer for this market at this time."

By Steven J. Ewing